Sols 2020-2021: Leaving Bressay

11 April 2018

The top science priority for this plan is to acquire all of the
data
needed to adequately characterize the rocks at the current location
before driving
away. So the GEO Science Theme Group discussed the priorities of
various proposed
observations, including a Right Mastcam mosaic of the arm workspace and
surrounding area, ChemCam LIBS targets, and a mosaic of the mid-field
terrain toward the south. Fortunately, power modeling
indicated that the pre-drive science block could be lengthened to 2
hours, which made it much easier to fit all of the desired observations
into the plan. First, ChemCam will measure the elemental chemistry of 4
nearby rock targets, called "Ledmore 2," "Minginish," "Askival 3," and
"Tyndrum 3." Minginish has already been examined by MAHLI
and APXS. Then the Right Mastcam will take images of Askival 3 and
Ledmore 2, as well as a 9x1 mosaic of "Lorne Plateau" (the area to the
south), a large mosaic to provide complete coverage of the area in front
of the rover, named "Bressay," and a 3x3 mosaic of the "Jedburgh" area
closer the rover toward the south. All these data will give the science
team plenty to think about as we try to better understand the variety
of rocks at Bressay.

We are transitioning into
restricted planning again, so the drive away from Bressay is planned on
Sol 2020. The drive target is a conglomerate rock named "Waternish."
After the drive, early on Sol 2021, Mastcam will measure the amount of
dust in the atmosphere and Navcam will search for clouds. Later that
sol, Navcam will search for dust devils and Mastcam will measure dust
opacity again. Then ChemCam will acquire calibration data and will use
AEGIS to autonomously select and acquire LIBS data on a target in the
new arm workspace. Finally, MARDI will take an image of the ground
under the rover during twilight, to sample the terrain once again. Overall, it was a good day for me as
SOWG Chair, and despite the late start we finished planning in time for
me to take my wife out on her birthday this evening!